The NFL has removed Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium from its Super Bowl hosting rotation due to facility requirements not being met, according to Dolphins owner Stephen Ross in recent comments.
The South Florida venue has welcomed 11 Super Bowls throughout its history, matching New Orleans for the most hosted championships. However, the stadium hasn’t held the big game since February 2, 2020, when Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a 31-20 victory over San Francisco in Super Bowl LIV.
Hard Rock Stadium, which opened 38 years ago, previously welcomed Super Bowls in 1989, 1995, 1999, 2007 and 2010. Prior to those games, Miami’s Orange Bowl served as the Super Bowl venue in 1968, 1969, 1971, 1976 and 1979.
Speaking with the South Florida Business Journal, Ross explained the situation: “We normally have one every five years. Miami is not really in line for one. It’s always exciting to have the Super Bowl but that was before we had all the other events. Miami has by far the best weather. It’s in their best interest to have one here but at this point they don’t believe we meet all the requirements and the demands.”
The stadium’s ability to accommodate Super Bowl festivities has been compromised after adding facilities for both the annual Miami Open tennis championship and Formula 1 racing events. These additions have significantly reduced the available space needed for Super Bowl hospitality functions.
Ross indicated efforts are underway to address the shortcomings. “We are looking at how to make improvements,” he stated. “I want to make the stadium always feel like a new stadium (and) we are looking at what the next phase will be and making the fan experience that much better.”
The league has already announced locations for upcoming championships: Los Angeles area’s SoFi Stadium will host in 2027, followed by Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2028, and Las Vegas area’s Allegiant Stadium in 2029.
